RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Nearly 20% of children in the United States experience one or more chronic health conditions. Parents of a child with a special healthcare need (CSHCN) experience increased stress caring for a child with chronic illness. PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive study is to describe stress in parents of a child with chronic illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Parents of CSHCN (n = 34) were asked to fill out the Pediatric Inventory for Parents (PIP) and answer two questions related to caring for their child during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The means of the PIP-F (M = 146.6, SD = 20.5) and PIP-D (M = 141.9, SD = 23.9) were significantly higher than in previous studies. There is statistically significant positive correlation between parent stress and variables of age of the child and the length of time since diagnosis. In response to the questions about the impact of COVID, nearly all parents reported COVID increased their stress and reported their stress was related to isolation, lack of resources, and concern for the mental health of other children in the household. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: COVID-19 likely exacerbated feelings of stress for parents of children with chronic health conditions. Although unprecedented, COVID-19 shed light on the existing fragility and high stress of parents of CSHCN. Pediatric nurses not only care for children, but must be advocates for the mental health of their patient's parents.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Institutional review boards (IRBs) exist to protect the rights and welfare of research participants. Critical care nurses and researchers may interface with IRBs directly or indirectly. Having an understanding of how the IRB process works will help nurses advocate for patients who may also be research participants and will help researchers facilitate approval of their research studies.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Little is known about how nursing students learned psychomotor skills during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIMS: What is the lived experience of undergraduate nursing students learning psychomotor skills during the COVID-19 pandemic? METHODS: Using a phenomenological approach, eight undergraduate nursing students were interviewed about their experiences learning psychomotor skills during the pandemic. RESULTS: Thematic analysis revealed three main themes. "Finding My Own Way" described adapting learning styles and advocacy for learning. Sub-themes included perseverance and comradery. "Learning the Skills" described modifications to skills learning. Sub-themes included grace by professors, smaller group sizes, less practice, and "my brain is split in half," describing the challenges of giving dual attention to COVID-19 and skills learning. "Stress of the Pandemic" described the stress of quarantine, isolation and online learning. DISCUSSION: Findings of this study may help nurse educators understand the challenges of learning skills during the pandemic. Implications are discussed.

RESUMEN

Effective methodologies for teaching nursing students how to care for pediatric patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are not well described. Two teaching methodologies were compared using a mixed-methods approach: an at-home simulation group (three days simulating having ESRD: taking medications, eating a renal diet, nightly peritoneal dialysis), and a video group (children with ESRD and their families sharing their experiences). Data were collected via an anonymous online survey at course completion. Knowledge acquisition was assessed using psychometrically reliable multiple-choice questions; no statistically significant differences between the two groups were found, indicating both learned the material. Qualitative analysis found that both groups valued the assigned teaching method and that it deepened their learning. Students identified challenges that children with ESRD and their families are known to experience. Combining both teaching methods may ultimately be the most effective approach.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Deliberate practice (DP) and cognitive load theory have renewed educators' interest in effective psychomotor skills teaching. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to explore how prelicensure nursing students learned psychomotor skills. METHODS: Nine senior nursing students participated in this phenomenological study to capture how they experienced learning nursing skills. Colaizzi's method was used to analyze in-depth interviews of open-ended questions. RESULTS: Six themes emerged: (a) the umbrella of emotion, (b) practice, (c) learning through technology, (d) fidelity affects learning, (e) teaching matters, and (f) importance of peers. Students found creative ways to learn nursing skills. Research findings contributed to a greater understanding of student experiences in gaining competency in nursing skills. CONCLUSIONS: Participants used aspects of DP, cognitive load theory, and technology to learn skills. These findings provide current information to nurse educators about skills learning and recommendations for effective skills teaching.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

In order to gain expertise, intensive care unit nurses must have a good understanding of the pathophysiology and complicated disease processes seen in their units. Nurse educators and critical-care preceptors must be able to explain these complex concepts to a wide variety of audiences including nursing students, graduate nurses, and experienced critical-care nurses. Many times, demonstrations, analogies, visual aids, games, and creative teaching methods can help communicate these complicated ideas. The purpose of this article is to provide ideas for nurse educators and preceptors to use when explaining concepts that may be encountered with patients in a critical-care setting. In addition, general tips for using creative ideas when teaching are discussed.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The paradigm is shifting from separating family members from their children during resuscitation to one of patient- and family-centered care. However, widespread acceptance is still lacking. OBJECTIVE: To measure attitudes, behaviors, and experiences of family members of pediatric patients during the resuscitation phase of trauma care, including family members who were present and those who were not. METHODS: An observational mixed-methods study using structured interviews and focus groups was conducted at 3 level 1 pediatric trauma centers. Family members of children who met trauma team activation criteria (N = 126; 99 present, 27 not present) were interviewed; 25 also participated in focus groups. RESULTS: Mean attitude scores indicated a positive attitude about being present during the resuscitation phase of trauma care (3.65; SD, 0.37) or wanting to be present (3.2; SD, 0.60). Families present reported providing emotional support (94%) for their child and health care information (92%) to the medical team. Being present allowed them to advocate for their child, understand their child's condition, and provide comfort. Families in both groups felt strongly that the choice was their right but was contingent upon their bedside behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings demonstrated compelling family benefits for presence during pediatric trauma care. This study is one of the first to report on family members who were not present. The practice of family presence should be made a priority at pediatric trauma centers.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

At some point in their careers, all critical care nurses will decide that it is time for them to leave critical care nursing. Whether this decision happens because of role change, retirement, or burnout, the decision can be a difficult one. This article explains my decision to leave the pediatric critical care unit and explores some of the reasons nurses leave critical care.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

New pediatric intensive care unit nurses and nursing students often find that understanding various congenital heart defects is challenging. This article discusses a teaching technique that educators can use when teaching pediatric congenital heart defects.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Although the number of children with kidney failure is relatively small, the disease carries a high burden for both children and their families that persists throughout the lifespan. Eleven studies, published since 1980, which examine how families adjust to having a child with chronic kidney failure, are reviewed. Parents tend to have high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety, and those with lower socioeconomic status have more difficulty adjusting. Parents describe uncertainty, social isolation, and increased caretaking duties as contributing to the burden of the disease. Future research priorities are identified. Measuring adjustment and developing interventions may ultimately improve outcomes in these children.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Iron is a substance commonly found in the homes of many children, leading to a high potential for accidental ingestion. Without proper recognition and treatment, iron poisoning can be fatal. This article reviews the case of a toddler who presents to the pediatric intensive care unit with iron poisoning.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

A recent phenomenon in emergency and critical care settings is the presence of family members during resuscitation events. It remains controversial in most institutions, but evidence is increasing that the experience has positive benefits for family members. In this article, the origin of family presence is described and research evidence about the experience is presented. Three case studies are presented to illustrate typical events, including the potential role of the hospital chaplain. Recommendations for implementation are included.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Functional illiteracy is a problem often overlooked by nurses. Although the average adult in the United States cannot read above the eighth-grade level, most patient education materials are written on a high-school or college reading level. If patients cannot read educational materials, then there is little hope of them using or understanding the information. Strategies for improving the readability of education materials specific to the needs of nephrology patients are discussed in this article.

Asunto(s)